I have a old junker rod here that I am practicing on. I have done a tiger, marbling and decal test runs on. The next thing I want to try in feather inlay's. I have done a bunch of reading and I am getting several techniques, I have seen some great work here and I would like to know what you use to attach the feather to the blank or thread. I am looking for the feather to appear without any ghost lines. I have seen permagloss and cp used and an article about using glue which I think will wind up in a mess more than likely. So if any experts out there are willing I would appreciate some direction.
Thank you

I use U40 Color lock to set the feathers. I wash them in a mild diluted dish detergent, rinse them and dab them with a paper towel, then set them with the Color lock and a dubbing needle. Small pieces don't get washed, they'd get destroyed or lost. Then they go right on the blank.

Over thread wraps, I do a coat of finish, then squeegee off most of it. When that is set, I treat the area as if it were the blank surface.

On small diameter rods I limit how many feathers I layer as it will become very thick and quite bumpy, saving me from using too much finish to even it out. On ferrules as markers, I use one laye of feathers only, usually a JC nail or barred hackle tip. I sometimes will line each side with a few fibers in an offsetting color, but not overlayer them.

I generally apply three, or sometomes more, coats of CP before the finish goes on. It helps to fill in the valleys the feathers create. I don't dilute.

Dave

Get the "Feather Inlays pdf" off of Golden Witch's WEB site. That's what it's all about.

Personally, the inlays I've done have been done with a water based CP over the unfinished rod. I can't say as I've noticed any halos, but then my inlay skills aren't that that advanced, so I'm not looking for perfection just yet.

I can suggest that you spend some time planning your inlay. Assemble the feathers on a flat surface so you can view how the colors and textures interact. Also, keep in mind that when you wet the feather, it will close up a lot. I use an artist's brush (red sable #2) to coax the fibers back into a more natural position.

Feathers can be applied using CP or Permagloss. Acid Rod carries Randy "Putter" Parparts DVD on inlaying feathers using CP if you are looking for detailed information. I have good success using Permagloss on basic feather inlays and others do as well. Terry Henson is one that does great work on multiple feather inlays using Permagloss. Either method works well once you have mastered the basic requirements for applying them.

I rarely use CP on any of my wraps so all inlays are done with Perma Gloss, I actually find it a lot easier to do inlays with PG as it sets up quickly and the natural tackiness of it makes it easy to align feathers.

Colin

Do you just smooth the PG around the rod or use it just at the feather? Then do you just use thread master or equivalent over it?

Just at the feather and then Thread Master over top

Colin

Thank you guys , I think that will get me started.

I use permagloss on the feather inlays and I do coat the full wrap first then
lay down the feather.
Permagloss works better the CP.
If you do use CP make sure the full wrap is coated, if you do not coat the full wraps
well with CP some of your wraps can go transparent and the wraps will not look that nice.

Here is a nice how to By Terry Hansen
Fether Inlay Info
Jon